Maureen Margaret Harrison

Maureen Margaret Harrison, born December 2, 1932, in Warrington, England, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on February 4, 2026. She is at home in heaven, together again with the love of her life, Robin, who died in 2016.

Maureen will live on in the memories of her children and grandchildren: John and Anissa; Sybil and Larry; Susan and Brent; Sarah and Roux; Jennifer and Jarrett; Megan and Marshall; John and Lindsay; Emily and Clark; and Laura. She felt especially blessed to have great-grandchildren—a new generation who embody her deep commitment to family: Lilah and Rosie, Greyson, Claire and soon-to-be-born baby Davis.

In the UK, her much-loved brother, Raymond Drury, will miss her deeply, as will his children Chris, Jackie, Sharon, and Philip, and their families. Robin’s niece, Bobbie, and her family loved Maureen and were grateful to be part of her life.

Maureen was the daughter of James and Annie Drury. She grew up in wartime England, rooted in an extended family and church community. A graduate of Warrington High School for Girls, she trained as a state-registered nurse at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. After further training in midwifery, she began her career as a district nurse.

In 1957, she embarked on what was meant to be a one-year adventure to Canada. She sailed from Liverpool and on that voyage met Violet Harrison, who would later become her mother-in-law. After nursing briefly in Hamilton, Maureen travelled west to Cranbrook. While working at St. Eugene’s Hospital, she met Robin—the son of the woman she had befriended on the voyage to Canada. They fell in love, travelled to Warrington, and were married at Our Lady’s, Latchford, in April 1959.

Maureen and Robin settled in Riondel, a small mining town on Kootenay Lake. Their children John and Sybil were born nearby in Nelson. After her father’s sudden death in 1961, the family moved to England, where Susan was born. By 1964, they had returned to Canada and settled in Hope, where Sarah was born and Maureen practiced nursing. In 1971, they moved to White Rock, into the home where Maureen would live for 55 years.

Maureen continued her nursing career in White Rock, serving as evening nursing supervisor at Peace Arch Hospital and later as a home care nurse. Even in retirement, she remained a caregiver at heart, nurturing her grandchildren and supporting many friends as they faced health challenges.

The Harrison house on North Bluff was a true community centre. Everyone was welcome, the tea was always on, and there was always room at the dinner table. Maureen was devoted to her friends and deeply valued these relationships. Her wide circle of friends, near and far, brought her great joy. She was able to remain in her home with the support of her daughter Susan, along with Anna Espinoza and Scott Hamilton.

Maureen had great respect for the nurses and doctors who provided her care. She received exceptional care from Dr. Stephanie Compton, Dr. Amir Behboodi, Norah Heath R.N, Lynn Hannah R.N., and the nurses in Emergency and on the sixth floor at Peace Arch Hospital, and the caregivers at Bayview Seniors Community.

Faith, hope and love defined Maureen’s life. She was a member of Star of the Sea Parish. In recent years, she found solace in the online community of St. Peter and Paul, Portlaoise, Ireland.

Maureen’s Funeral Mass will be held at Star of the Sea Church (1153 Fir Street, White Rock) on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception at Morgan Creek Golf Course. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Maureen’s memory to the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation.